Desher Kaj
Mosquito nets for families without
Before the monsoon, listing the families with no net or a torn one, taking them donated new nets, and showing how to hang them and to use them for daytime sleep too.
Area
Khagrachhari
People
5 people
Time
About 8 hours
Difficulty
Easy
About this task
Hilly Khagrachhari is among the country’s malaria-prone areas. First, asking the community clinic or upazila health complex whether any net distribution is already running in the area. Then, with the union council member and the clinic, a list of families with no net or a torn one, those with a pregnant woman, small children or elders first. Donated new nets handed out by token, with a signature or thumbprint, and showing hands-on how to hang a net and tuck it in all round.
Why it matters
A net is a simple guard against mosquito-borne disease. Some districts, especially the hill districts and Cox’s Bazar, still carry a malaria risk; the dengue mosquito bites by day, so babies, the sick and the elderly need a net for daytime sleep too. Poor families often do not have a net for everyone.
What changes after
Every family on the list has a net, with a signature; families know how to hang and tuck it in, and to use it by day too.
Who can join
Anyone; best with a local health worker.
Step by step
- 1Done
Ask the health centre first60 min
Ask the community clinic or upazila health complex whether a government or other net distribution is running, so no family gets twice.
- 2Done
The list of families180 min
With the union council member and community clinic: families with a pregnant woman, small children or elders first.
- 3Done
Hand out and show how to hang240 min
By token, as many per family as needed; signature or thumbprint. Tuck the sides under the mattress; for babies and the sick sleeping by day too.
Checklist to get ready
- New mosquito nets (donated) · ১০০টি
- Tokens · ১০০টি
When it counts as done
- Every family on the list received, with a signature or thumbprint
- At least ten photos, with consent, of nets hung
Proof required: Photo, Signatures
⚠ Safety
Hand out by token to avoid crowding. No photos of anyone’s home or face without consent. Anyone with fever should be tested at a health centre.
What it costs
| New mosquito nets (nothing if given in kind) | 100 | ৳0 |
| Tokens and a register | 1 set | ৳150–400 |
| Transport (a van) | 1 day | ৳300–1,000 |
| Drinking water and a light snack | 5 people | ৳60–100 |
| Total (about) | ৳500–2,000 | |
Getting ready, step by step
14 days before
Ask the community clinic whether another distribution is running.
List families with the union member and the clinic.
7 days before
Gather nets as gifts in kind; match the count to the list.
A token for each family.
Distribution day
Hand out by token, signature or thumbprint.
Show how to hang them in a few homes.
Two weeks after
Visit a few homes to see the nets are in use.
Who does what
- Lead (1): Builds the list with the clinic and union, runs the day. — ____________
- Distribution table (2): Match tokens, hand nets over, take signatures. — ____________
- Demonstration team (1): Show how to hang a net and tuck it under the mattress. — ____________
- Photos and records (1): Photos with consent, lists, receipts, handing in the proof. — ____________
The day, hour by hour
- 14:30Set up the table, token list ready.
- 15:00Start handing out by token.
- 16:30Show hanging in a few homes (photos with consent).
- 17:30Reconcile remaining tokens, close the list, done.
What can go wrong, and what to do
- Crowding and pushing → Only by token; note the names of anyone not on the list and say it will be looked at later.
- Running short of nets → Follow the list’s priority: pregnant women, small children and elders first; the rest in the next round.
Useful numbers
- 16263Shasthya Batayon: a doctor on the phone
- 999National emergency: police, fire, ambulance (free)
Questions people ask
- How do we raise money for nets?
- No money is raised on this site. Take new nets directly as gifts in kind, and keep a receipt or list.
- What if someone has a fever?
- Do not self-medicate; get tested at the nearest health centre. For advice, Shasthya Batayon on 16263.
- Can I join if I cannot stay the whole time?
- Yes. Say in your request which step or which hours you can do. The lead will give that step to you.